The gelling properties of Dillenia indica mucilage in benzyl benzoate emulgel formulations

Abstract The objective of the study was to evaluate the gelling properties of Dillenia indica mucilage in benzyl benzoate emulgel formulation. Mucilage was extracted from the fruits of Dillenia indica using established methods and characterized by rheology and swelling. Emulsion (F1) was prepared using the continental emulsification method. Gelling agents (2 %w /v) were prepared by dispersing in distilled water with constant stirring at a moderate speed using a magnetic stirrer. F1 was added to the gel (0-75 %w /w) to obtain emulgel formulations and evaluated using viscosity, globule size, pH, release profiles and kinetic modeling. Data were expressed as mean ± SD, and similarity factor (f2) was used to compare all formulations. Formulation viscosity was significantly higher with carbopol than with Dillenia; globule sizes increased with concentration of gelling agents, and pH reduced as the concentration of Dillenia increased. All formulations showed controlled release properties with t80 ranging between 114 and 660 min. The release was governed by Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Formulation F5 prepared with 50 % Dillenia showed highest similarity to F4 prepared with 75 %w /w carbopol. Dillenia indica demonstrated acceptable gelling properties comparable with that of carbopol and could be improved for use in emulgel formulations.

Preliminary investigations of banana (Musa paradisiaca) starch mucilage as binder in metformin tablet formulation.

The binding properties of banana (Musa paradisiaca) starchwas investigated using maize starch BP and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as standards in the formulation of metformin tablets. Starch from unripe banana fruits was extracted with distilled water. Mucilages of the banana and maize starches and solutions of PVP at 5 and 10 %w/v were used to produce metformin granules by wet granulation and compressed into tablets. Granules and tablets properties were evaluated. Compatibility studies using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were also carried out. Granules flow properties was of the order: PVP>banana starch > maize starch. DSC and FTIR analysis reveals no interaction between excipients and metformin. Increase in concentration of banana starch mucilage from 5-10% w/v led to an increase in hardness, disintegration time and decrease in friability of the tablets. Tablets of banana starch mucilages were comparable in tablet properties with those of maize starch mucilages and PVP solutions with no significant differences (p<0.05). The tablets exhibited crushing strength, friability and disintegration time values ranging from 6.75-12.00 kp, 0.82-1.50 % and 11.04-14.51 min, respectively. The tablet parameters met compendial requirements at binder concentrations studied except friability values for tablets of PVP. Results revealed that banana starch could be used as a binding agent in metformin tablet formulation due to its comparable binding property with maize starch BP and PVP.

Evaluation of fast disintegrating tablets of paracetamol prepared from a blend of croscarmellose sodium and Pleurotus tuber-regium powder.

The study investigated the combination effects of the mixture of croscarmellose sodium and Pleurotus tuber-regium powder on the granules and tableting parameters of paracetamol tablets. Five batches (A-E) of paracetamol tablets were formulated using wet granulation method with various combination ratios of croscarmellose sodium and Pleurotus tuber-regium powder as disintegrant incorporated both intra- and extra granularly. Their granule properties such as bulk and tapped densities, angle of repose, Carr's index, Hausner's ratio and post compression parameters such as friability, hardness, disintegration time and drug release profiles were evaluated. The results showed a decrease in disintegration time with increasing concentration of Pleurotus tuber-regium powder with disintegration times < 3.58 min. There was an increase in hardness (values > 4.34 kp) and a decrease in friability (values < 0.6 %) of the tablets with increasing concentrations of Pleurotus tuber-regium. All the tablets exhibited comparable drug release profiles with over 80 % of their drugs released in 1 h. Harder and less friable fast disintegrating tablets of paracetamol can be obtained with Pleurotus tuber-regium powder in combination with croscarmellose sodium. The combination of croscarmellose sodium and Pleurotus tuber-regium possesses potentiative effect on their disintegrant activity.

Formulation and in vitro release studies of pegylated mucin based matrix tablets.

The effects of polymer concentration on the flow properties of granules and in-vitro release profiles from matrix tablets of three model drugs formulated from pegylated mucin base was investigated. Mucin was extracted from the African giant snail and in combination with PEG was used to produce a copolymer matrix base, which was mixed with the model drugs using wet granulation method. The granules and tablets were evaluated according to official and unofficial requirements. Results showed best flow with Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and Chloroquine Phosphate (CQ) granules with Hausner ratio of 1.04-1.2, Carr's index of 4.2-17.5% and angle of repose between 19°-26°. The tablets met B.P specifications with respect to tablet weights, friability and drug content. The release profiles showed faster release of the drug with high content of PEG and a slower release with high concentration of mucin. Pegylated mucin base will find useful application in the development of a wide range of formulations.